Scale-Modeling Tips & Tools MonthlyIssue #003

Hello,

Scale Modeling Tips & Tools Monthly is written by Reg Hardy, publisher of
Scale-Modelers-Handbook
This issue brings you more of the latest information and tips on scale modeling.

If you like this e-zine please "email it forward" to someone you know who is interested in scale modeling whether it is model ships, model trains, RC Racing or RC flying. If a friend did forward this to you and you like what you have read here please subscribe so you don't miss the upcoming issues.

If you have suggestions, article requests, comments, or corrections, please feel free to contact
Reg.

Contents of this issue ofScale ModelingTips & Tools Monthly

How much space in your home is devoted to your modeling projects?
cal Scale Mo
4. What's new at Scale Modeling Handbook - new articles.

5. Local Modelers' Show

6. Feature Article - We Salute Texas Modeler Raul Guzman.

Error Correction
and New Ship Modeling Tips

In research tips to use in this issue I discovered a broken link which I corrected.This was to a ship modeling article on planking the hull. There are several tips here including:

To begin the planking process, divide the lower hull of the ship into sections with planking belts to create smaller open areas. Planking belts consist of two or three planks set two to four to the entire expanse. Once the belts are in place and smooth, it is easy to maintain the smoothness through out the section (without kinks, bumps or wrinkles).

Scale Modelers Handbook
Tool of the Month: The GluSquito

This is a tool that cuts across all forms of model making from ships to trains, from planes to automobiles, all eventually will exhibit tight quarters when it comes to glue application.

How about you, have you ever found it difficult to glue small pieces together or small pieces in and around other objects? Has retrofitting become more of a chore because of the hard to reach angles? Well fear no more.

With the aid of the GluSquito all of these type of gluing projects need not be difficult any longer. What is a GluSquito and where can you buy one?

This is a tool that cuts across all forms of model making from ships to trains, from planes to automobiles, all eventually will exhibit tight quarters when it comes to glue application.

How about you, have you ever found it difficult to glue small pieces together or small pieces in and around other objects? Has retrofitting become more of a chore because of the hard to reach angles? Well fear no more.

With the aid of the GluSquito all of these type of gluing projects need not be difficult any longer. What is a GluSquito and where can you buy one?

Well a GluSquito looks like its bug cousin and is an aid in gluing. Where to buy one? You can't. You MAKE one instead!

Recent Website Updates

We just added the ability for visitors to contribute to the Scale-Modelers-Handbook website by submitting their own articles. This is an opportunity for you to share your modeling techniques with other modelers around the world so they can learn from you. It is simple; try our
article submitter this week.

2007 Spring Testors National Model Show caps Hobbytown Nashua's First Year

Greg Saith wrapped up his first year with the Hobbytown-USA franchise in Nashua, NH with a slate of entries for the National Testors Spring Model Contest this weekend.

Among the entries:

Scratch Built Schooner
with a submarine and
a US LST

A bevy of model planes.
The MIG (lower Right)
was judged best of the pack

This grouping of models
was still undergoing judging

The contest also featured several
dioramas from local modelers Francis Moore and Cliff Mathewson. Both men
work in World War II vintage scenes involving Armor, Ordinance and
exquisitely detailed figures. To fully appreciate the talent of these two
gentlemen would require better lighting and a closeup lense but the
weathering detail alone makes them worth seeing if you get the chance.

A collection of Dioramas

Feature Article: A Texan Scratchbuilds a USS Monitor Turret

The U.S.S. Monitor was the Union’s response to the Confederacy’s construction of the ironclad Merrimack (CSS Virginia) in the American Civil War.

The two ironclads would later fight to a draw in the world’s first battle of two vessels made of iron.

Henceforth, the navies of the world began phasing out the era of wood and sail and turn to constructing ships of iron and steel.

Just last month the $30 million Monitor Mueseum in Newport News, Virginia opened for the first time.

My model of the Monitor gun turret was scratch built in 183 hours over a period of 39 days. My inspiration for building the Monitor turret came after seeing a Verlinden kit in 1/32 scale made of resin.

An acquaintance of mine had done a fine job making the Verlinden model. I took several photos of it and decided to make one out of wood and metal. I had originally decided to make it twice the size of the Verlinden kit, but after figuring the size of the brass rods I would need to make the Dahlgren cannons, I decided to make it 150% of the size of the Verlinden kit.

I bought the resin kit, took measurements and
tried to find what information I could on the web and in libraries. When
all was said and done, my model weighed in at 20 pounds, most of which is
located in the two massive cannon barrels. I made the turret so it
revolves on a small section of the Monitor’s deck that I added.

Needless to say, the ladder, the blocks (with
sheaves), the gratings, the floor planks (with trunnels) the mechanism
parts to swivel the turret, the buckets, the cannon ball racks, the
Dahlgren carriages, the cleats, etc. were all made from scratch. The scale
is 1/24.